Japan's NYK supplies ammonia to tugboat using truck-to-ship method

Japanese shipping company NYK has successfully supplied fuel ammonia to its ammonia-fuelled tugboat (A-Tug) using the truck-to-ship method, the company announced on July 17.

The bunkering, completed at the port of Yokohama, marks the first time an A-Tug has been fuelled using this method, according to NYK research. The tugboat is set to become the world's first commercial ammonia-fuelled vessel upon completion at the end of August.

This operation took place at the Honmoku Wharf of the port of Yokohama under a fuel-supply agreement NYK concluded with energy company Jera in late May. The ammonia used, Ecoann, is produced by Resonac Corporation at its Kawasaki plant, utilising partially recycled plastics as one of the fuel’s raw materials.

Following the vessel's delivery, the charterer, Shin Nippon Kaiyosha, a subsidiary of NYK, will be supplied with fuel ammonia by Jera. In April, Jera announced a project to implement truck-to-ship bunkering of fuel ammonia at the port of Yokohama.

Ammonia is gaining attention as a next-generation fuel that helps combat global warming because it does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted. However, due to its toxicity, adequate safety measures are essential during replenishment.